Looking forward to ‘Bottle vs Magnum’ Tasting with Jancis Robinson

The standout Champagne event of the year; an exciting opportunity to experience how thirteen prestige cuvée champagnes have aged in bottle vs. magnum or jeroboam. Something happens to Champagne aged in magnum; their evolution slows, factors come into play that we can’t always explain and it’s like a little magic is sprinkled: what was a superbly rich Champagne in bottle, seems even more rich and complex in magnum – they are differently amazing. Add to the mix three now very rare and excellent vintages of Champagne, 1996, 1998 and 2002, and this event is truly one of a kind.

There are lots of arguments to favour Champagne from magnum; there can be no doubt they age much better and much longer, they are less sensitive to temperature fluctuations, so the potential for damage due to heat or cold is decreased; they are aesthetically impressive and are great for gifting.

Whatever your viewpoint, comparing your favourite Champagne from bottle with magnum is a must-do for any wine lover. Providing they have been stored correctly and are old enough to display significant age differences, you will most definitely not be disappointed with what you discover.

We asked Jancis Robinson MW some questions with regards to our upcoming event.

How often do you get the chance to taste from a bottle and at the same time from magnum?

In 40 years of writing about wine I can’t remember a similar exercise so I’m really looking forward to it – especially as champagne in magnum is conventionally so revered.

What excites you the most about the event?

The chance to put the theory that champagne ages best in magnums to the test.

We see Cristal 1996 (magnum) and Krug 1998 (bottle) have received your highest ratings of the 13 champagnes at 19.5 – This November you celebrate 15 years of being online – which one of the 13 champagnes would you choose to celebrate this landmark?

I think Cristal 1996 in magnum would be a suitable toast – not least because it is made by Roederer in whose International Wine Writers Awards JancisRobinson.com was judged best wine website in the world.